Abstract: A patient's skin puncturing device according to the present invention is built of a body and of seated therein a pricking needle assembly and of a push-button arranged in the upper portion of the body. Between the push-button and the pricking needle assembly at least two driving springs are arranged. The driving springs are connected by upper ends with the push-button provided with a pushing face. Between the body and the pricking needle assembly at least two return springs are disposed, which are connected with the body. The pricking needle assembly has a driving face cooperating with the pushing face of the push-button, and in the upper portion has wings which upper surfaces cooperate with the driving springs of the push-button and which lower surfaces cooperate with the return springs, and has outer projections cooperating with inner projections with which the body is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for removing tissue. In one aspect, a device for removing tissue includes a hollow elongate member having an outer wall and a lumen, a selectively deployable tissue-cutting element extending from the hollow elongate member, and an actuation member extending through the lumen and coupled to the hollow elongate member at a location that is distal to the tissue-cutting element. Movement of the actuation member can cause the tissue-cutting element to move from the insertion configuration where the tissue-cutting element is not deployed to a tissue-cutting configuration where the tissue-cutting element is deployed such that it is radially extended relative to the insertion configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treatment of superficial varicose veins in a body is provided. The surgical instrument includes at least one vein-engaging element disposed within or on a housing being adapted for insertion into a tissue. The at least one vein-engaging element is operable to a vein-engaging state whereby it protrudes from the housing at a length thereof.

Abstract: A surgical obturator is provided which has a tubular housing, a blade carrier displaceable in the tubular housing in a longitudinal direction between an advanced cutting position and a retracted protected position. A blade with a cutting edge is held on the blade carrier. A protective cap engages over the blade and is displaceable in the tubular housing in the longitudinal direction between an advanced rest position in which the blade is completely covered in its protected position and a retracted work position. The protective cap has a slit through which the cutting edge passes. In a work position of the protective cap, the blade projects through the slit. A retracting device is arranged in the tubular housing for displacing the blade from the cutting position to the protected position. The retracting device is activatable by displacement of the protective cap from the work position to the rest position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for securing a pair of suture lengths together or for using a single strand of suture to secure tissue(s) together at an operative site in a patient without necessarily tying a knot. The suture lock device may include a suturing securing device having an outer body member having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen defining a suture path through the outer body, an inner wedge member axially insertable into the outer body member to secure a portion of a suture between the wedge and the interior surface of the lock member, an outer tube carrying the outer body member at the distal end of the outer tube, the outer tube carrying the wedge proximal to the outer body member, and a pusher member slidable within the outer tube to push the wedge into the lock member.

Abstract: A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region at a first end portion to direct particles toward the center of the filter and the second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The second region includes a plurality of spaced apart struts with adjacent struts being joined.

Abstract: A self-expanding occlusion device for occluding an atrial auricula in the heart of a patient includes a braiding of thin wires or threads given a suitable profile form by means of a molding and heat treatment procedure. The occlusion device includes a proximal retention area, a distal retention area and a center section. The occlusion device holds securely in the atrial auricula of a patient in its expanded and implanted state without damaging the tissue of the patient's heart. The proximal retention area has a flanged area which positions at the inner walls of the atrial auricula when the occlusion device is in an expanded state in the atrial auricula to be occluded, and forms a force-fit connection with the inner walls of the atrial auricula, thus holding the implanted and expanded occlusion device in the atrial auricula, whereby the distal retention area closes the opening in the atrial auricula.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for delivering a self-expanding stent in a vessel of the body. The device comprises a tubular sheath which, in a distal section, keeps the stent radially compressed, and a pusher element, which is guided in the tubular sheath, in order to stabilize the stent when the sheath is pulled back. A handle is also provided, with a passage via which the pusher element is secured on the handle. The device further comprises a tubular rod which is fixedly connected to the handle and inside which the pusher element is provided, and which is provided at least in part with regularly spaced elevations and with depressions lying between the elevations. In addition, a movable element is provided which is arranged movably over the rod, distally from the handle, and whose movement in the proximal direction allows the sheath to be pulled back.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a device that modifies the left atrial appendage (LAA) to reduce the likelihood of thrombus formation therein. The device includes a liner that reduces the volume of the LAA and remodels the interior geometry and surfaces of the LAA thereby minimizing the crenellations in the LAA that impede blood flow. According to some embodiments, the device further includes an anchor component. The anchor component helps to expand the liner upon deployment of the device in-vivo and further prevents dislodgement and migration of the device, by ensuring the device is properly seated and completely sealed against the walls and ostium of the LAA.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes opposing jaws and a covering enhancing traction between the jaws and a body conduit. A multiplicity of fibers oriented to extend longitudinally between the clamp and conduit may be composed of filaments and either woven or non-woven to form a fabric. A variety of weaves are contemplated to provide different textures, each having its own traction characteristics. The nature of the weave can control characteristics such as smoothness, absorption, and texture. The fibers or filaments may be formed from any solid or semi-solid material, adding its own characteristics to the resulting fabric insert or clamp.

Abstract: A surgical knife blade for forming an incision in bodily tissue including a body having a cutting edge terminating at a distal tip, the cutting edge including opposing cutting edge segments extending distally to meet at the tip, the cutting edge being configured by blending a first and second radii. The first radius is concave and the second radius is convex, the first and second radii meet at a juncture which forms a smooth tangential connection, whereby the blended radii form a hollow design and wherein when the body is moved in a cutting direction transverse to the tissue to cause the tip to enter the tissue, less force is required to penetrate the bodily tissue and greater control is provided.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a heart valve prosthesis. The heart valve prosthesis includes a docking station (77) having a wire frame defining a lumen and a valve frame (91) for positioning within its lumen. The docking station includes a diaphragm (78) adapted to have an open position and a closed position, which provides a temporary control mechanism for preventing free regurgitation during the time period between the deployment of the docking station and the deployment of the valve frame, and a sealing mechanism for preventing paravalvar leakage.

Abstract: An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.

Abstract: An obturator has an elongated shaft with a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion within an obturator housing. The distal end of the first shaft portion creates a first shield and the distal end of the second shaft portion creates a second shield. A blade having a piercing tip and cutting edges is interposed between the first shield and the second shield. In use, once the piercing tip passes the body wall, the first shield moves to cover the piercing tip and protect internal organs from accidental injury while the cutting edges continue to cut the body wall. Once the second shield passes through the body wall, the second shield moves to cover the cutting edges.

Abstract: A vessel filter including a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and the second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts with adjacent struts being joined and a spacer extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the filter.

Abstract: A surgical portal apparatus for permitting introduction of a surgical object within tissue includes a portal member defining a longitudinal axis and having leading and trailing ends. The portal member includes an outer wall defining a longitudinal opening dimensioned for reception of a surgical object. At least one projection is disposed on the outer wall of the portal member and extends in at least a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The at least one projection is dimensioned and configured for engaging tissue to resist movement of the portal member within tissue. The at least one projection defines a recess for receiving tissue portions adjacent thereto. A plurality of projections is spaced about the outer wall of the portal member. At least two of the projections are circumferentially spaced relative to the longitudinal axis and/or at least two of the projections are longitudinally spaced relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rotatable thrombectomy wire for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material including an inner core composed of a flexible material and an outer wire surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The outer wire has a sinuous shaped portion at a distal region. The inner core limits the compressibility of the outer wire. The outer wire is operatively connectable at a proximal end to a motor for rotating the wire to macerate thrombus.

Abstract: A vascular filter includes a proximal support hoop, a plurality of support struts, and a plurality of capture arms. The proximal support hoop extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks and six proximal peaks. The proximal support hoop includes an enlarged end element at each peak. The support struts extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve. Two capture arms are connected to the proximal support hoop at each distal peak. Each capture arm extends from the distal peak to an apex in a curve. The concave portion of the first curve faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve.

Abstract: A patient's skin puncturing device, particularly for collecting a blood sample for diagnostic purposes, including a housing, a lancet slidably positioned inside the housing and having a body with a sheathed puncturing needle seated therein, and a push button positioned at the one end of the housing. Between a face end of the push button and the lancet body a drive spring is placed, and between the other end of the housing, which is provided with an opening for the puncturing needle, and the lancet body a return spring is placed. Between the housing and the lancet body is placed a lancet actuation lock, preferably in the form of interlocks of a washer. The device has a drive spring catch, preferably in the form of grabs of the washer, to preclude the drive spring from following the lancet in the puncture phase and in the retraction phase of the lancet.